FORMER four-weight world boxing champion Pernell Whitaker has died at the age of 55 after being hit by a car.
Whitaker, who fought the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez, was killed in the accident in Virginia Beach in the US.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8IW7aFKGY/
R I P champ, one of the best fighters to ever do it. This photo was taken 7/13/19.
A post shared byFloyd Mayweather (@floydmayweather) on
He started his boxing career in 1984, retiring in 2001.
During that time Whitaker won world titles in the lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight divisions.
He finished with a career record of 45 fights, 40 wins, four defeats and one draw.
TMZ Sports have reported that a 911 call was made reporting the accident.
Police attended the scene where Whitaker was reported to be in a serious condition.
Whitaker, who also won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, died from his injuries.
So sorry to hear of the passing of a defensive genius and one of the all time greats, Pernell Whitaker
There has been no word of the driver of the car and if any arrests have been made.
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather was one of the first to pay tribute to Whitaker on social media.
The retired undefeated boxer shared a photo of the two of them together taken just two days ago, writing: "RIP champ, one of the best fighters to ever do it."
British boxing hero Frank Bruno also posted his sadness, writing on Twitter: "So sorry to hear of the passing of a defensive genius and one of the all time greats, Pernell Whittaker.
ONE OF THE BEST
"May he rest in peace. My thoughts are with his family & close ones. #sweetpea."
Fight fans posted on Twitter their upset after the news broke.
Kevin Iole described him as "one of the best ever to do it", meaning the sport of boxing.
Frankie O'Connor added that he was "one of the best defensive fighters to lace them up."
Carla Ja posted that boxing had "lost a legend".
Adam Abramowitz wrote: "We lost one of the great ones today. R.I.P. Pernell Whitaker.
"Just a tremendous fighter."
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